Newsome Park first-graders learn to be reporters

NEWPORT NEWS – Gathered on a carpet in the middle of the classroom one recent Tuesday, first-graders watched their teacher Whitney Andrews demonstrate on a large pad of paper how to write reports.

Andrews asked her students facts about bats to get them started writing.

"When do they hunt?" she asked 16 wiggly, but attentive 6-and-7-year-olds.

"At night," they answered in unison.

Andrews nodded, "They gather their food at night because their competition is still what?"

"Sleeping," they answered.

The Newsome Park Elementary students spent the month of January researching animals in groups of four. Students picked sharks, lions, cats and snakes and gathered information using books and the Internet.

They will use the facts to write about the animals' sleeping habits, physical features and what they eat.

When they're finished writing, they will learn to use Power Point to create final projects they will present to the class.

Note to readers: Do you know of local students who are doing something special at their schools? Contact Sarah Pawlowski at spawlowski@dailypress.com or 757-247-7478.